Sacking Terry is Capello's first big mistake

Why, Capello? Why? Okay, I know stripping John Terry of his captaincy has got nothing to do with the fact that he can't keep his trousers zippered. All that guff about expecting Terry to conduct himself in a manner befitting someone who represents his country can't have cut any ice with the England manager. After all, why hold Terry to a standard that doesn't apply to an ex-foreign secretary (Cook), an ex-President of the United States (Clinton), a future King of England (Charles) and — most pointedly — an ex-England captain (Beckham). Let's not forget that Beckham was accused of similar shenanigans on the eve of a major international tournament in 2004 yet wasn't stripped of his captaincy.

Terry's mistake was not to play away, but to cuckold a "teammate". That, presumably, is what was behind Capello's statement:

As a captain with the team, John Terry has displayed extremely positive behaviour. However, I have to take into account other considerations and what is best for all of the England squad. What is best for all of the England team has inspired my choice.

I'm not convinced by this. Wayne Bridge hasn't worn an England shirt since 2007 — and is only likely to play in South Africa if Ashley Cole is injured. Was it really worth sacking Terry just in case Bridge and he are on the pitch at the same time? Particularly as we don't yet know the circumstances surrounding the alleged episode? Bridge separated from his partner two months ago, let's not forget.

The fact that Terry has gone is hardly a national tragedy. He'll continue to play for the team and, as Pat Nevin pointed out on Newsnight on Tuesday night, the England captaincy is a largely symbolic office. Terry will still be on the field and he can still shout and swear at his teammates, chivying them on, even if he isn't wearing the captain's armband.

The truly disappointing thing is that Capello appears to have caved into public pressure. I'm not convinced that he conducted a thorough investigation into the incident or took soundings from the other England players or even from Wayne Bridge. He's only just arrived back in the country, for heaven's sake, and his "meeting" with Terry lasted all of 12 minutes. He's simply throwing Terry to the wolves in the hope that they'll stop baying — and that's not how a good manager should conduct himself. Ancelotti hasn't stripped Terry of his Chelsea captaincy — and I don't think he would even if Bridge still played for Chelsea. Would Alex Ferguson have acted likewise if he was England manager? Inconceivable. The manager's only consideration should be who is the person most likely to lead England to victory in South Africa and if he allows any other factors to enter into his calculations England are doomed. In this instance, I'm not convinced that this was the only thing on Capello's mind.